Best Backup software for Ubuntu 8.10

[Karl F. Larsen]

HermanAA wrote:
> On Tue, 2009-04-07 at 15:51 -0700, Nolan Cooper wrote: 
>   
>> Nolan flopped in chair, hunched shoulders, and pecked out:
>>     
>>> Walton Hoops wrote:
>>>       
>> /snip/
>>
>>     
>>> Face it, the average user _can't_ use cron, and even if he could he'd still
>>> need to figure out what command to use.
>>>       
>>            ^^^^^^^^^^
>>
>> And why is that a *bad* thing.
>> Any time you learn, *that* is good.  :)
>> nolan
>>     
>
> My backing-up is as simple as right-click on a folder or file, and
> select 'Create Archive'. I use Ubuntu 8.10.
>
> I have limited time. I would love to play with alternatives. I have made
> a copy of all the opportunities presented (backup2l, rsync, kdar and
> others). From reading (this list, many threads) I especially appreciate
> the versatility of rsync.
>
> I have read every mail of this thread: (Best Backup software)
> I think the best Backup software is between our ears.
>
> The best way to determine your BU system is to ask yourself:
> "What if I lost everything (in my computer) today?
>   What part of it would really hurt?"
>
> Backing-up stuff that you DO NOT NEED is A SERIOUS MISTAKE.
> (but enjoying doing so is a valid excuse)
> Explanation: 'BIG/GOOD' backups are often unwieldy. As a consequence,
> you will not use it when needed (it takes more time than available).
> Even with limited backups I find myself picking out specific info in old
> backups (an important folder, usually). Instead of using the entire
> Backup.
>
> My answer to that specific question:
> "If I lost everything, what part would really hurt?"
>
> VERY LITTLE (say 1% of the data in my system).
> The trouble is, (without planning ahead) that 1% is spread 'all over the
> place'. I would have to backup 50+% of the data to be sure the essential
> 1% is included.
> So I decided to change my computer-life-style to get rid of the excess.
>
> Somebody in the beginning of the thread said: "You have to backup as you
> go." THAT IS ESSENTIAL THINKING/DOING.
> ... and that's what I am doing.
>
> To make it work, I use a STAGING-AREA, a separate folder 'myBackup'.
> (with subfolders: myEmail-BU, Financial-BU, myEvolution-mailerBU, and 3
> more).
>
> As soon I have done the essentials of the day I ask myself: Anything
> ESSENTIAL/IMPORTANT (in there)?
> (The answer is clear, even at 70 years old, because I remember the
> IMPORTANT things easily).
> I backup accordingly. To my STAGING-area (myBackup folder ON harddisk).
> For the essential folder or file in question:
> I use Right-Click > Create archive.
> I copy the tar.gz file to Staging-area. (I add a date)
>
> Now my Backup has become a super-simple routine:
> COPY myBackup (to 1 of 2 USB-flashdrive routinely, to other BU-media
> less-often).
> Note: COPY (the files are easily recognized: 090404-myEmail. I can
> easily see what I have done and when).
>
> I copy to STAGING almost immediately (if it is something that I cannot
> afford to lose), weekly otherwise.
> I Backup to Flash-drive same day if anything important has transpired.
>
> My backing up is as simple as right-click on a folder or file, and
> select 'Create Archive'.
> That was made possible because I changed my computer-lifestyle to
> facilitate easy Backup.
> I use Ubuntu 8.10. 
>
> HermanAA.
>
>
>
>   
    As I have said, again and again, the backup method to use is the one 
you know how to use :-)

    Here is a batch file I use to back up my computer to a hard drive in 
a plastic case that plugs into this computer with a USB plug. The backup 
takes about 10 minutes max.


# This file is designed to backup my Ubuntu to the USB Hard Drive using 
rsync
# Karl Larsen, 8 june 08
# rsync -vaHz --exclude '/proc' --exclude '/sys' --exclude '/media' /.
# /media/disk
# This is what works on my computer
# rsync -vaH --exclude '/proc' --exclude 'sys' --exclude 'home' 
--exclude '/mnt' --exclude '/media' /. /mnt
# This goes to the USB hard drive
rsync -vaH --exclude '/proc' --exclude 'sys'  --exclude '/mnt' --exclude 
'/media' /. /media/disk

I save all the versions so I can see what I changed to make it work. 
This does work.


Karl


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
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